Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part A
Rama and Lakshman in combat with Ravana [source]
Reading Notes -
King Dasharatha - The descriptions of the settings of the kingdoms are very vivid, descriptive, and in depth. The introduction of the king includes his children, but it later reveals that he has no sons [meaning that the story is set before having sons].
Dasharatha's Sons - There are many more characters introduced/discussed. I feel as though I'm going to get them all confused later. I also keep assuming at first that characters with names ending in A are women as in the Western tradition. I need to remember that many names in these epics end in A's, including numerous men.
Rama: Avatar of Vishnu - It's interesting that there are two different story lines intertwined - the heavenly and the earthly storyline. It's also interesting that the only two beings able to defeat the monarch of the rakshasas would be apes and men.
Vishvamitra - I feel as though the obvious favoritism of Rama may set the stage later for his brothers to be jealous of his favor and turn against him, although they are technically parts of Vishnu.
Thataka - This story made me question - Does Rama know that he is a divine reincarnation of a part of Vishnu? When I write a story, do I make it to where he does know that he is or that he doesn't know?
Ganga - The theme of kings not having children/sons continues. It also took several generations and strict austerities for those words to be fulfilled.
Ahalya - This was amazingly written. It would be quite a challenge to write such a long story in the form of a rhyming poem.
Sita - There's the same descriptive language in this part. There's also the same intertwining between heavenly and earthly storylines with Rama and Sita and then Vishnu and Lakshmi.
Janaka - This reminds me of the tale of Arthur and the sword.
Rama Wins Sita - Again, cannot imagine writing this part in the form of a rhyming poem.
Parashurama - This was an unexpected twist - the conflict had been resolved, the guy got the girl, and then bam! someone else comes to create conflict.
Wedding - Since the four sons are all parts of Vishnu, are their wives all parts of Lakshmi?
Heir Apparent - I think this was interesting because I wouldn't have expected the king to ask surrounding princes and rules about their opinion on who should be heir. I would have expected it to automatically be the oldest - Rama.
Manthara - It's interesting that an outside character has to spurn anger and jealousy in the one of the other wives. I feel like normally, I would have expected that storyline to arise from the wife itself.
Kaikeyi and Dasharatha - There's a lot of similes to animals in this part.
Banishment - I feel like usually, the king would not be happy with such words spoken by his queen. Generally, those words would not be tolerated by the king, and then the queen would be killed. It's interesting that those strong words are spoken by a queen in this part without punishment. Also, Rama seems too perfect.
Exile - I applaud Sita's devotion. I'm beginning to see the strong women referenced in story projects - the good, bad, and the ugly.
Crossing the River - Lakshmana has a very loyal character as well. This is the first time also that Rama seems to be human (railing against Kaikeyi).
Karma - Theme - Bad decisions have like consequences.
Dasharatha's Death - What is Bharata's reaction to having been made king? [possible story topic]
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